Born in Orange on June 24, 1927, she was the second of nine children to Coral and Edward (Ted) Farrell.

The Farrell family are well known in Orange as descendants of Michael Farrell who came with his mother from Ireland to settle in Orange in 1864.

Sister Joan was the first born infant at Wontama - Nurse Lemmins Hospital, in Orange. She received a silver eggcup and spoon as a memento of the occasion. Her schooling was at Santa Maria College in Orange.

As the eldest daughter of the family, her early years were focused on assisting her family with domestic duties. Her mother ran a general store and accommodated boarders whilst her father worked and managed retail shops and stores.

Throughout her teenage years and early 20s she worked in the administration of Raffin's Men's Store in Orange and participated in social activities with her friends and family but always felt uncomfortable in that she lacked a proper purpose for her life.

In 1954, at age 24, she entered the convent of the St Joseph Sisters (founded by Saint Mary MacKillop) at Perthville and took the name of Sister Mary Elizabeth.

After two-and-a-half years in the convent, which included teacher training, she was sent to Gulgong as principal of the local Catholic school.

She enjoyed her teaching of the children and claimed that her expertise was in "the three Rs" because it was in the basis of all learning.

She had many transfers throughout the western districts of NSW including Forest Reefs, Wattle Flat (a bronze plaque exists at the convent bearing her name), Coonabarabran, Oberon, Molong, Blayney, Manildra and Portland.

In later years, she ministered at St Joseph's College at Perthville before acting as congregational bursar, and serving on the Perthville college board and membership of the rural ministry and Justice groups.

After her "retirement" she performed significant pastoral work in the parishes of Oberon, Molong, Manildra and finally in Bathurst.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: